10. Moving onwards

Karma was now walking to Café Wishe to do something he's been wanting to do for a long time, quit his job. It was getting dark now and he just wanted to get this over and done with.

When Karma walked in he saw all he's co-workers there. Before he could say anything, he saw a teary faced Cindy approaching him. They stared into each others' eyes for a few seconds before Cindy started tearing up more and trying to get closer to him. Contrary to everyone's expectations, Karma actually took a step back to get further away from her and calmly stated a sentence that rang in the ears of everyone present.

"I quit." That was all Karma before he started walking out the very same doors he walked into. He didn't even take a few steps before he heard Cindy screaming at him.

"Dammit Karma! Do you know how worried all of us were? How worried I was? You just leave for the day saying you're going to the dungeon. And when you come back you come you act like nothing happened and instead quit your job. DON'T YOU CARE ABOUT HOW I FEEL!? I SPENT THE WHOLE DAY WORRYING YOU WOULDN'T COME OUT ALIVE AND NOW YOU SAY YOU'RE LEAVING. I LOVE YOU, YOU DAMN BASTARD! HOW COULD YOU NOT UNDERSTAND THAT!?".

Cindy's shouting had a attracted quite a bit of attention in the streets, especially when the topic is this interesting. However some people recognized Karma from his earlier stunt and chose to back away, but still stayed since they wanted to see who could fall in love with this psycho.

Karma was staring at Cindy and didn't know what exactly to say. He just looked at her and took a deep breath before responding "I'll be honest with you, I've always known how you felt but I don't think I could ever bring myself to love you Cindy. Especially now that I'm an adventurer. Sorry for the trouble and thank you for liking me." said Karma as he turned around and started walking away. He could hear Cindy's sobs gradually increasing in volume.

"Karma, if you leave now don't think about ever coming back." the person who said that was a teary faced Sam. Karma he stopped for a brief moment before he continued walking.

"Didn't you see us as family?" that question actually stopped Karma as he stared straight into Chris' eyes. Chris the joker had actually asked him such a serious question.

"I don't need a family, the last I had was bad enough." said Karma as with a smile that suprised Chris as he vanished into the crowd.

Chris looking at Karma's retreating back had never noticed how lonely Karma looked until now.

_______________________

Karma didn't even look back since he left and was looking for an inn to spend the night. He eventually found one near the Hostess of Fertility. He decided to go there to eat since he hasn't eaten since the previous day.

While he was walking he saw some people whispering and pointing in his direction. He had forgotten how the Hostess of Fertility is close to both Café Wishe and the Guild. When he walked in some of the tables decreased in volume.

Karma sat near the front counter and waited for someone to take his order. The one who came to take his order was Ryuu. As the elf approached he was lost in his thought about what happened earlier. He didn't know if there was a better way to reject her, but the damage was already done.

When he snapped out of his thoughts when he saw Ryuu staring at him, probably waiting for him to place his order, and he stared right back into her eyes. As he stared he didn't notice his usually emotionless face had morphed into a gentle smile as his blue eyes started changing colour to match hers.

Ryuu was surprised by the smile, and even more so by his eyes. She had gotten lost in them, and couldn't help but bring out a smile of her own. Karma seeing this grinned like a child as he brought his hand hand in order to shake hers. Ryuu unconsciously brought out her hand to meet his and Karma gently grasped it.

"It's nice to meet you, I'm Karma."

"Ryuu...."

Karma and Ryuu were so lost in each others' eyes that they didn't notice how everyone was staring at them with mouth agape until he heard Anya's voice.

"Mia-san, Ryuu is holding hands with a man!"